Young Liars #4 — Writer/Artist: David Lapham
If Lapham has a weakness, it’s plot — I kept waiting for Stray Bullets to coalesce into one huge, overarching, satisfying story, and it kept acting like it was about to, but the bits and pieces never came together. What made that book, though, were the moments — the ways the characters talked, and the surprising things they did. As there, so here: the omnipotent-Pinkerton thing is already getting annoying, and their explanation is going to be an inevitable disappointment, but the characters make the comic. Stacie, the girl with no impulse control, is obviously the star — and the money shots, like the full-page splash of her surfing behind a cruise ship, are so appealing that they make all of the rest of it worthwhile.
Trinity #2 — Writer: Kurt Busiek; Art: Mark Bagley (first story); Writer: Busiek and Fabian Nicieza; Art: Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher (second story)
Already, this is clearly better than Countdown, but it may end up being too complicated; it doesn’t yet have the easy-to-follow, accessible plotlines that made 52 something to look forward to every week. Still, it’s early, and so far the art’s appealing, the character bits are good (for example, the way that Enigma is naturally impressed by the Batman, while his partner can’t see what the fuss is about), and the backup story has a smooth way of synching up with the main story, so for now I’m willing to trust Busiek’s skills and see what happens.
Batman Confidential #18 — Writer: Fabian Nicieza; Art: Kevin Maguire
The second of five parts, featuring the first Barbara Gordon Batgirl/Catwoman meeting. As with the first installment, the big appeal is Maguire’s art, but the script knows how to play to his strengths, give each character her due, and provide just the right mix of humor and suspense to keep everything percolating nicely.
The Goon #25 — Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
The “hero almost decides to quit” issue, leavened by the firecracker-up-the-nose scene — those are the charms of this book, everything you’d want from a Goon comic, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible — every line is in place, and every emotional beat is where it should be, and yet it’s all about 25 degrees off center, precisely where Powell wants it to be.
Madman #9 — Writer/Artist: Mike Allred
All-double-page-splash issue (down a very well-thought-out street), as Allred continues to play around formally. Very well executed, and it advances the story, although there are times when the experiment overwhelms the characters; this book needs an issue or two of solid emotional storytelling development to help balance these flashy set pieces.
Action Comics # 866 — Writer: Geoff Johns; Penciller: Gary Frank; Inker: Jon Sibal
Johns and Franks have been clicking along together very well, feeding on each other’s strengths, and after their Legion story a Brainiac one (complete with bottling scene) was a good choice. If you like good straight-ahead DC superhero stuff, these guys (and Busiek, and maybe one or two others) are your go-to team right now.
Phil Mateer
